Scotland make four changes for Six Nations Italy trip

RBS SIX NATIONS - ITALY v SCOTLAND
Venue: Stadio Flamini Date: Saturday, 27 February Kick-off: 1330 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC HD channel, Red Button and online; full commentary on BBC Radio Scotland and Radio 5 live sports extra; text commentary and score updates on BBC Sport website and mobiles

Max Evans dedicated his try for Glasgow to his injured brother Thom

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has made four changes to his side for Saturday's Six Nations trip to Italy.

Max Evans returns to the team after coming off the bench against Wales, while Hugo Southwell and Simon Danielli replace Chris Paterson and Rory Lamont.

Allan Jacobsen replaces Alistair Dickinson in the front row as the Scots look to end a two-game losing streak.

Lock Carlo Antonio Del Fava is the only change for Italy after making a remarkable recovery from knee surgery.

Andy Robinson's side are aiming for victory in Rome following defeats by France and Wales.

Forwards Nathan Hines and Alasdair Strokosch, both of whom missed the Wales game through injury, are named among the replacements.

Italy provides fresh challenge - Danielli

Centre Nick De Luca is also named on the bench.

Robinson told BBC Scotland: "To have Nathan Hines and Al Strokosch on the bench, two players who were in the starting team in the autumn, they are coming back from injury and they are going to have to perform well to get back into the starting team.

"That's where the competition for places is important for us."

Saturday's game in Rome will see Southwell and captain Chris Cusiter earn their 50th caps.

"Our focus now is on delivering a winning performance against Italy," said Robinson.

"Congratulations to Chris Cusiter and Hugo Southwell, both of whom will be winning their 50th cap."

Robinson said the ambition, mind-set and individual performances were the positives that could be taken from the last-gasp defeat by Wales in Cardiff, but sounded a warning about the task that Scotland face in Rome.

"Playing against Italy, you've got to keep the scoreboard moving or they will grow and they will get a real confidence about what they can do," he said.

"We are going to have to be at our very best to win this game and our focus has got to be on being ruthless."

Italy's Del Fava broke his meniscus in his right knee on 9 February, but after immediate keyhole surgery, he has recovered in time for Saturday's match in Rome and to replace Valerio Bernabo in the only change to the 24-man squad chosen for the 17-12 defeat by England in Rome on Valentine's Day.

"Del Fava has responded positively to the medical staff's treatment and will be available for the match on Saturday," an Italian rugby federation statement said.

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Italy: Matias Aguero, Mauro Bergamasco, Marco Bortolami, Martin Castrogiovanni, Lorenzo Cittadini, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Paul Derbyshire, Quintin Geldenhuys, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Fabio Ongaro, Salvatore Perugini, Josh Sole, Alessandro Zanni, Mirco Bergamasco, Riccardo Bocchino, Gonzalo Canale, Pablo Canavosio, Gonzalo Garcia, Craig Gower, Andrea Masi, Luke McLean, Kaine Robertson, Alberto Sgarbi, Tito Tebaldi.

Scotland: H Southwell (Stade Francais); S Danielli (Ulster), M Evans (Glasgow), G Morrison (Glasgow), S Lamont (Scarlets); D Parks (Glasgow), C Cusiter (Glasgow, capt); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), E Murray (Northampton), J Hamilton (Edinburgh), A Kellock (Glasgow), K Brown (Glasgow), J Barclay (Glasgow), J Beattie (Glasgow).
Replacements: S Lawson (Gloucester), A Dickinson (Gloucester), N Hines (Leinster), A Strokosch (Gloucester), M Blair (Edinburgh), P Godman (Edinburgh), N De Luca (Edinburgh).